Drag Break The challenge of secondary breaks for us fans is to try name as many options the players can open up in each possession...if the initial break is stopped. I count 3 PnRs on this play, ending in a Give n Go This isn't a classic Drag Break, as Harden explores the middle line to the basket vs going wing. But he does drag in the sense he lets Nene get ahead of him for the quick-hit PnR. Must give a shout out to @leebigez regarding Harden doing the Steve Francis skip-hopping fastbreak. We used to scream at Francis for doing that. After Harden forgoes the initial PnR. McDaniels passes out front to Anderson and flares, with Harden/Ryno starting PnR #2. Bad communication on Harden's behind the back pass. Looks like he thought Anderson was popping out more But Ryno and McDaniels convert to a messy Side Line PnR ...ending in Give n Go
That's the sort of thing I've been looking for for years: an offense that has options for everything the defense does.
Its so pretty.... Ive been waiting on this for 4 years, but its not necessarily an answer for everything a defense does. Its more like a means to an answer with the constant movement and passing. Sometimes there wont be an answer but its not for a lack of trying, unlike the milk hair offense.
Suns Fast Break The 1 attacks the wing where the 2 set up in the corner -- making it easy to convert to 21 Series Shooter in opposite corner. Best big shooter (Anderson) opposite wing. (Wiltjer is a shooter too, but this is preseason, he won't be playing with Ryno, so just filling the 5 lane in the middle), ready to give a Drag screen. This is twice in the game where PG just dribbled all the way to the rim, because all 5 defenders are spread out defending players forgetting their primary objective - defend the rim.
Who says you can't gang rebound and still run It's pretty impressive Rockets have 3 rebounders on 1 opponent, yet still get a "7 seconds or less" layup on the break. (Of course, it is sad that guy got the first rebound. so sad ) Not classic Suns Break alignment, as this is heavy on one side but Wiltjer crosses over to wing shooter position (offering a drag screen on the way). Of course, Wiltjer should have ran the other side the whole way...I keep seeing him positioning himself wrongly. Ariza cuts to basket, and will continue to corner if picked up (he's not). Harden can quickly convert to 21 Series (Pistol) with the 2 in the corner, as Ryno (shooting 4) trails the play.
There aren't alot of teams who break properly. Mainly because guys stop and shoot 3s. Secondary breaks require big guys running . Showtime was a great fast break, as much as I disliked them, Utah had the primary and secondary break to a T,plus it started their offensive sets. I wish coaches and players learned this at a early age, but they just dont do it.